Students, educators and the community gathered on March 13th in Summerside to officially open the $23 million renovation of Three Oaks Senior High School.
Back row: Minister Palmer, Minister Brown, Premier MacLauchlan Front row: Minister Gallant, PSB board member Harvey MacEwen, Minister Biggar, student Rebecca Proctor, Principal Jeff Clow, VP Jason Gallant, students Carly Mackenzie and Sarah Hall
The rebuilding of the 160,000 square foot facility has been underway since the summer of 2016. It is the first major upgrade of the school since it opened in 1976 to replace the Summerside High School on Central Street.
"This major transformation of the school environment provides Three Oaks students with exciting new opportunities to learn," said Premier Wade MacLauchlan. "The high school years are pivotal in our learning journey and we are pleased to make this critical investment in the future of our youth."
The school serves 700 students from Summerside and communities in the surrounding area.
"We have seen many changes in teaching and learning since Three Oaks opened in 1976, and this beautiful, like-new facility is well-equipped to deliver today's high school curriculum," said Education, Early Learning and Culture Minister Jordan Brown. "This was a challenging project and we acknowledge with deep appreciation the cooperation of so many people who brought it to fruition."
The rebuilt school includes many new features such as well-equipped science labs, a blackbox theatre, a new outdoor running track and upgraded sports fields, a culinary and foods lab, art lab, elevator, new resource rooms, student breakout rooms, independent study areas and gathering spaces for students.
Many existing spaces received major upgrades such as the library and inter-connecting lecture theatre, music room, cafeteria, kitchen, gymnasium and teacher planning areas. The 31 classrooms and hallways were expanded, and windows were added to improve ventilation and bring more light into the school. New resource and inclusive education spaces are better able to support individual learning needs.
Environmental impact and energy efficiency were primary considerations throughout the planning process. The school is heated by biomass and it is the first Island school to use propane as a back-up rather than oil. More than 70 energy efficient windows were added to increase day lighting and solar heat gain. New LED lighting and roofing with high insulation values also make it a very efficient facility.
The project was designed by Chandler Architecture Inc. and managed by APM construction with the support of many local subcontractors.
